New team has youth on its side

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE INNOVATION CENTRE

June 1st, 2015 - The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) is pleased to announce the establishment of a Youth Development Team to engage youth in the Sault interested in entrepreneurship.

In partnership with Algoma University and Sault College, SSMIC has hired Heather Lewis to coordinate the On Campus Entrepreneurship Activities Program (OCEA). 

Funded through Ontario’s Youth Jobs Strategy and managed through Ontario Centres for Excellence, the On Campus Entrepreneurship Activities program aims to help post-secondary students develop interest and skills related to entrepreneurship and transfer that knowledge into the marketplace.

In addition to the OCEA program, SSMIC has created three innovative youth development positions.

David McCaig will be the Youth Entrepreneurship Coordinator responsible for coaching and supporting youth of all ages.

Ashlee Gerard is the Youth Entrepreneurship Outreach Officer intended to reach out and ignite the entrepreneurial spirit at the elementary and secondary levels.

These two positions are funded through the MaRS Discovery District.

Taylor Trecroce is the new Business Development Research Specialist Intern who will support entrepreneurs through research and advisory services. Gerry Bugyra, Business Development Manager at SSMIC, will oversee this project with his talented and energetic team.

“I see this as a great opportunity for the youth of Sault Ste. Marie to collaborate amongst themselves and others, to spark entrepreneurship and develop ideas into real businesses here in the Sault,” said Gerry Bugyra, Business Development Manager, SSMIC. “I am excited that SSMIC, our partners at Algoma U and Sault College and others in the city are working together to retain our youth and future jobs for Sault Ste. Marie”.

 The youth development team will undergo further development and branding in the coming months in order to prepare for the return of students to classes in September.